03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Mid and West Wales fire service commences home safety campaign

SEPTEMBER sees the start of the Home Fire Safety month and households are encouraged to do some basic safety checks within their homes to reduce the risk of fires.

At the start of the month, the focus will be on Chimney Safety.  People with an open fire or woodburning stove in their home, it’s likely that it hasn’t been used over the summer period.  It is important to properly maintain flues and chimneys as any build-up of soot or debris increase the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and chimney fires.

Through the week commencing 14th September, Gas Safety Week will be addressing a whole range of gas safety matters with a focus on community safety in these difficult times – from advice about how to stay gas safe, to raising awareness of using a registered engineer who is legally qualified, to ensure consumers don’t suffer from the effects of illegal gas work through lack of awareness.  The campaign will raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which could cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Gas Safe Register is the official register for legally qualified engineers and registered engineers can be found by visiting the Gas Safe Register website at GasSafeRegister.co.uk.

Most homes have at least one smoke alarm, however, homes have a greater number and wider range of gadgets and appliances, which we have become ever more reliant on. Therefore, just having one or even two smoke alarms and more gadgets may not be enough for some homes. Smoke alarms are still considered to be one of the most important devices in the home and people are advised to have one fitted on each floor of their home and to test them every week.

Also encouraged are :

Replacing Smoke Alarms every 10 years – even if they appear to work when tested;

Fit additional Alarms in the rooms that are used most;

Clean smoke alarms regularly; and

Purchase sealed unit alarms so the batteries cannot be tampered with.

Station Manager Will Bowen, Home Safety Manager said:

“We want people to think beyond installing a smoke alarm on the landing and in the hallway and think about the risks in their own home to ensure they have the right detection in the right places.  Home detection technology has advanced and products with sealed batteries or interlinked systems are available and as part of your home safety plan may give you precious minutes to escape if a fire starts.”

For the latest up to date advice and information about smoke alarms and home safety please see the website for more details www.mawwfire.gov.uk

The Welsh Government’s aim is for all Welsh homes to have working smoke alarms Wales and provides funds for the Welsh Fire and Rescue Services to provide smoke alarms and other home safety equipment.

Key Messages for Fire Safety in the home.

Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them every month;

If you smoke, ensure you stub your cigarettes out properly – Put it out. Right out;

Don’t leave cooking unattended and keep it out of reach of children;

Don’t overload electrical sockets and turn off electrical appliances and plugs before you go to bed or go out – apart from appliances that are designed to stay on, like freezers;

Keep lit candles, portable heaters and other sources of heat away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes; and

Plan and practise an escape route and make sure everyone knows it. In the event of a fire, don’t tackle the fire yourself. Get out, stay out and call 999.

 

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